Antonello Novelli
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Antonello Novelli was born in Milan (Italy) and obtained his Degree (Laurea) in Biology in 1978 from the University of Studies of Milan, followed by the Ph.D. in Experimental Pharmacology in 1982, from the same institution. He has been working at the Neurological Institute “C. Besta” in Milan (1980), at the NIMH, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington D.C. and at the NINDS in Bethesda for more than 6 years (1983-89), and for shorter periods in the laboratory of Biophysics at the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste, Italy, as Visiting Scientist. At present, he is Permanent Professor of Psychobiology and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Oviedo, Spain, and he is developing his research activity within the University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Brain Science and Technology, in collaboration with Dr. MT Fernández-Sánchez. Dr. Novelli is also a member of the Sanitary Institute of the Princedom of Asturias (ISPA). His research interests are focused on the mechanisms and biomarkers of neurotoxicity, neurodegeneration and neuroprotection in cultured neurons following exposure to a variety of conditions and stimuli, by using multiple techniques, including the emerging extracellular electrophysiology by microelectrode arrays. Seafood toxins have been one of his constant topic of research since the Canadian episode of human intoxication by domoic acid in 1987, and the presentation of his work at the first meeting on domoic acid toxicity in 1989 in Ottawa.
Affiliations and expertise
University of Oviedo and Institute for Sanitary Research of the Princedom of Asturias, SpainMaria-Teresa Fernandez-Sanchez
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M. Teresa Fernández-Sánchez is Full Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Oviedo (Spain) and member of the Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA). She graduated in Chemistry and post-graduated in Biochemistry at the University of Oviedo, and worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the National Cancer Institute (NIH, USA). Her research activity focuses on the study of the biological action of marine toxins and seafood contaminants on neuronal survival and functioning, and in particular the effects of subtoxic long-term exposures to these compounds on the occurrence of neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress, using primary cultures of central nervous system cells. Together with Dr. A. Novelli she co-leads the Brain Science and Technology Laboratory at the University of Oviedo since 1990. The group has recently started using the microelectrode arrays (MEA) methodology for the analysis of extracellular recordings generated by in vitro cortical neuronal networks growth on microelectrodes, and has successfully used this methodology for the detection of very low concentrations of marine biotoxins of microalgal origin, including okadaic acid, domoic acid and prorocentroic acid, as well as the characterization of the effects of subtoxic concentrations of these toxins on neuronal excitability and function. Based on this experience, studies are also in progress for the application of MEA methodology for the identification of new functional biomarkers related to Alzheimer´s disease to be detected in blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
Her academic activity has been strongly oriented in the last few years to establishing at the University of Oviedo studies involving active learning methodologies and a high degree of internationalization. She actively participated in the organization of a new degree in Biotechnology (2009), and in the organization of the Master in Biotechnology of Environment and Health (www.unioviedo.es/MBEH), an international programme of problem-based learning methodology, established at the University of Oviedo in 2011, that she coordinates ever since. Responsible for many international agreements for the exchange of students and staff with many Universities worldwide, she has lectured in several European Universities
Since June 2016 Director of the Area of Europe at the Vice-rectorate for University Extension and International Development of the University of Oviedo.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oviedo, SpainMichael Aschner
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Dr. Aschner serves as the Harold and Muriel Block Chair in Molecular Pharmacology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He served on numerous toxicology panels (Institute of Medicine, US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Disease Control, FDA, National Academy of Sciences, US Department of Defense), and was a member and chair of the Neurotoxicology and Alcohol study section (NIH). He served as the President of the Society of Toxicology and has previously served as the President of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences and the International Neurotoxicology Association. He has authored (co-authored) >1,100 peer reviewed manuscripts and 110 book chapters, his h-index is 124, and he is a recipient of Honorary Doctorate from the University of Cordoba in Argentina. Research in his lab focuses on: (1) Modulation of C. elegans genes (aat, skn-1, daf-16) that are homologous to mammalian regulators of methylmercury (MeHg) uptake and cellular resistance will modify dopaminergic neurodegeneration in response to MeHg exposure. (2) Under conditions of MeHg-induced oxidative stress, Nrf2 (a master regulator of antioxidant responses) coordinates the upregulation of cytoprotective genes that combat MeHg-induced oxidative injury, and that genetic and biochemical changes that negatively impact upon Nrf2 function increase MeHg’s neurotoxicity. (3) PARK2, a strong PD genetic risk factor, alters neuronal vulnerability to modifiers of cellular Mn status, particularly at the level of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. His studies are designed to (1) shed novel mechanistic insight into metal-induced neurodegeneration; (2) identify targets for genetic or pharmacologic modulation of neurodegenerative disorders; (3) increase knowledge of the pathway involved in oxidative stress; (4) develop improved research models for human disease using knowledge of environmental sciences. Affiliations and expertise
Professor, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USALucio G. Costa
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Dr. Costa is Professor Emeritus of Toxicology in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle. Before joining the University of Washington in 1983 he received a doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Milano and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas at Houston. Over the years he served as the Director of the University of Washington Toxicology Program, Director of the Neurotoxicology Research Core of the NIEHS Center in Ecogenetics and Environmental Health, and a Core Faculty of the Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology Training Program and the Environmental Pathology/Toxicology Training Program at the University of Washington. He has also held professorial positions at various Universities in Italy (Parma, Bari, Roma, Pavia, Milano). He is a member of several national and international professional organizations, a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences, and a European Certified Toxicologist. He received various awards for his scientific accomplishments, including the Achievement Award from the Society of Toxicology. Dr. Costa has been a member of several panels and committees at the national and international level dealing with toxicology and risk assessment issues. He has been teaching classes in pharmacology, toxicology, and neurotoxicology for over 35 years, and has kept an active research program in neurotoxicology, with >500 publications, books and book chapters. The primary focus of his research relates to the toxicology and neurotoxicology of pesticides, environmental contaminants, alcohol, air pollution, and on various aspects of gene-environment interactions in relationship to neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor of Toxicology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA